Target 2050 Domestic

Background

Target 2050 is the name of Stroud District Council's overall strategy to address climate change through actions in the domestic, commercial and public sectors. The programme of work is being delivered through a partnership with Severn Wye Energy Agency.

The domestic strand of Target 2050 takes its inspiration from the '40% House' concept developed by the Environmental Change Institute at Oxford University (www.40percent.org.uk). The focus is on working towards a 60% reduction in household carbon emissions against a 1990 baseline, in line with the UK Government target for 2050. The refurbishment of existing housing is key to this as the vast majority of dwellings that will be occupied in 2050 are already in use today. Achieving this challenging target requires a mixture of standard and non-standard insulation measures, renewable energy technologies and energy-conscious behaviour on the part of the householders.

Click here to download Feasibility study report (3Mb PDF)

Click here to download the project leaflet (730kb PDF)

Progress to Date

We needed to recruit committed households who would be willing to work with us to make improvements to their homes, participate in a programme of energy monitoring and behaviour change over a two year period and share their experiences publicly. Nearly 180 households from around the district applied to take part. We selected 40 households from a range of property types, ages and locations to receive an in-depth energy audit of their property. From these, 23 were selected to become our 'exemplar homes' on the basis of carbon savings achievable, motivation of householders and establishing a representative mix of the population and housing stock of Stroud District.

What's happening now?

We are working with these 23 households to develop carbon reduction action plans and begin installing measures. They are also monitoring their energy consumption and will be looking at the effect of different choices and habits on energy use throughout the term of the project. The experiences and achievements of these households have been publicised to demonstrate that it is possible to achieve substantially higher levels of energy efficiency in real homes in Stroud District.

We are also working with local installers and suppliers of energy saving products to raise awareness of opportunities to improve the energy efficiency of homes and make it easier to find the right person and the right product to do the job. If you are an installer or supplier, or you would like to recommend one, please call or e-mail Eileen O'Haire on 01452 835087 or [email protected].

Can I take part?

Coordinator

Paul Sheridan - Senior Energy Advisor

[email]paul
[phone]01452 835077

Related Projects

Target 2050 Official Website

Target 2050 - Business

Target 2050 - Community

We are not looking for any more exemplar homes, although if you have made innovative energy efficiency improvements to your home and would like to share your experiences we would be pleased to hear from you.

We are able to offer home energy audits to more households this year. If you are a homeowner, serious about reducing your carbon emissions and would like register your interest in having an energy audit in future, please e-mail Paul Sheridan (see box right).

If you would like to find out more about saving energy and the grants and discounts available to help you improve your home please call your local Energy Saving Trust advice centre on 0800 512 012.

This project is funded by Stroud District Council and managed by Severn Wye Energy Agency.

Installer Network

For the convenience of householders involved in the Target 2050 project, SWEA is developing a list of local accredited companies who can carry out the works. The Target 2050 Installer Network comprises two sections: